Last Monday (3), the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad (PT), announced measures to increase federal government revenue, one of which is the fight against smuggling in electronic commerce. According to the minister, revenue of up to R$ 8 billion a year is expected through regularization.
The solution aims to frame international retail companies that are not paying due taxes. When asked if the project targets Chinese e-commerces, such as Shein and AliExpress, the minister did not mention the companies, but pointed out that those who are not paying taxes will start to pay.
“The whole problem is smuggling. E-commerce is good for the country, it encourages competition, what we have to curb is smuggling, because it is doing a lot of damage to Brazilian companies that pay taxes,” said Haddad. The minister adds that all companies can operate in Brazil, as long as there is healthy competition with those who pay taxes in the country.
Last week, Luiza Trajano, from Magazine Luiza, reinforced the unfair competition between Brazilian and Chinese e-commerce: “there is no way to compete if you pay 37% of tax and the other does not”.
The businesswoman's speech was reinforced by Raphael Carnavalli, Marketing and Sales Director at Freight Fast, in an interview with Canaltech. The expert explains that one side needs to pay to import, while consumers from foreign sites, almost always, do not pay a tax for it.
For him, the taxation is fair and will stimulate the Brazilian domestic market, since it will become more advantageous to consume from national merchants. "Even the price being a little higher, the advantage of the SAC and reverse will speak louder in the purchase decision", he says.
Considering the agreement between Brazil and China for direct conversion between their currencies, Carnavalli comments on the situation of Brazilian stores that work with imported products: "Since the shopkeeper already pays his tax and, even better, pays in a direct conversion, the advantage in pricing will be enormous and thus wins over the customer even more. Brazil will find the same product and for the same price. Of course the Chinese are always at the forefront of innovative products, I don't think that buying will drop drastically, but they will fall for the products most purchased here."
What consumers say
On his Twitter profile, Minister Hadadd shared a video answering questions about the new measure in which he claims that it will not be necessary to create new taxes or increase the rate, just "charging those who do not pay". The forecast is to collect between R$ 110 and 150 billion by the end of the year.
Source: Brazil Agency